Light Art Biennale Austria 2010

11. August 2010

Light art Biennial Austria 2010
The first „Lightart Biennale Austria 2010“ is a non-commercial exhibition of lightart. There are light-artists as well as visual artists who uses light as an art-medium. The Biennale 2010 is using the slogan „private light in public spaces“.
The Lightart-Biennale Austria 2010 starts in autumn 2010 in Austria, consultant is Peet Thomsen (USA/Copenhagen/Linz) and the works are selected by a jury.
The start of the Biennale will be September 1st in Linz and September 4th 2010 in Perchtoldsdorf, with a final exhibition in Vienna in November 2010. We keep the public informed about the Biennale with a Blog, a Website and a planned printed catalogue. The submissions can be watched on www.lightart.posterous.com. Selected artists and exhibition spaces can be seen on www.lightart-biennale.at.

Curatorial Statement
Light Art Biennial Austria 2010 – “Private Art in Public Spaces”
I have been asked to be consultant for the Light Art Biennial in Austria. The Biennial is inspired by a similar Biennial, which will be held in the Ruhrgebiet. Austria’s theme for the first Biennial will be “Private Light in Public Spaces”. The name a gentle play on the German Light Art Biennial “Open Light in Private Spaces”
The name of the biennial describes the technical medium being used could also be interpreted in another manner. Light art – art without substance, this could be understood as unserious art. It could also be interpreted in another way. Art without substance is art about the immaterial. The object can be seen but never touched. But is it unserious? Milan Kundera wrote a book called “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” – And so comes the heavy part of the project. Light is about life – without light there is no life. The light of the sun fuels the planet. Light is a symbol used in churches for life itself. Some catholic churches begin their midnight Easter services in darkness. Then when the light of the rising sun comes through the stained glass window the worshippers light candles. The light then goes from one person to the next. This is how life and energy works. The seed of the man impregnates the woman and thus begins a new life. But the energy is there before. – the burning desire of the individuals for each other – this energy is the fuel of life. When we look to the sun as for example Olafur Eliasens: “Sun” at the Tate Modern we find calmness. We are reassured that everything is all right. So is it with light art – we find a space for solace and contemplation or just a pleasing view – whatever we find – we are enriched – such is the nature of light art.
Linz is the perfect venue for a departure into an area filled with light art. When you arrive in Linz by boat you are greeted by several great examples of light art. Lentos Art Museum and Ars Electronica Center each on their own side of the Danube with light incorporated into their facades. Lentos the older building and is probably the inspiration for the facade of Ars is at night a pattern of blue light which at night with its reflection in the Danube is absolutely beautiful. The Ars Electronica Center with its every changing display is a real experience. But there are also other lights incorporated in the architecture, which are truly pleasing to the eye. The bridge across the Danube is also worth noticing. Thus with the palate wetted and greeted by the city of Linz we can step off the boat and begin to explore the city of Linz and the artworks placed into the public spaces by the artists of the festival.
Peet Thomsen

Manfred Kielnhofer

Guardians of Time by Manfred Kielnhofer
Mystique contemporary art sculpture Guardians of Time by the Austrian Manfred Kielnhofer observing and pretending the world. “The Guardians of Time” relates to the idea that since the beginning of time mankind has had protectors, both for historic and mystical reasons. It seems that only man himself is a potential source of danger for his own existence. In his works of art Manfred Kielnhofer deals with the natural human desire for security. Thus his oeuvre reflects genuine exploration, consideration and discussion of current as well as historic moods and sensibilities of his social environment. His works of art captivate with elaborate combinations of light and different technique.
http://www.paranoias.org/2012/12/guardians-of-time-by-manfred-kielnhofer
http://kielnhofer.com
http://timeguards.com
http://fotopark.at
http://artpark.at
http://contemporary-art.at
http://lightart-biennale.com
http://www.facebook.com/manfred.kielnhofer
http://twitter.com/artbeyondlimits
http://at.linkedin.com/in/contemporaryart
http://gplus.to/contemporaryartdesign
https://plus.google.com/photos/102958896899981777265/albums
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbeyondlimits
http://www.tumblr.com/blog/contemporary-art
http://www.youtube.com/user/kielnhofer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_Kielnhofer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_Time_(Art)